UTF PODCAST 49: A MORPHINOMINAL COMIC BOOK JERK SPECIAL

Weekly Comic Reviews 1/2

Greetings ladies and gentlemen. It is a bold new year, we have survived Armageddon. As Christmas break comes to a close, we have arrived at the first edition of 2013′s Weekly Comic Reviews from Unleash the Fanboy. My name is Daniel Alvarez, a Godzilla fan, and like last year I’ll be hosting. We’re starting the new year off right, with not only the great fourth entry of GODZILLA: Half Century War, but also the stellar second issue of the My Little Pony comic. (Have I mentioned that I’m a big fan of the show?) So let us begin this bright new year for comics. First up, Image.

BlackAcre #2

The increasingly troubling premise of this series continues to propel this new saga forward. As some minor twists and turns threaten to shake things up our hero, Hull, stays true to his path as he seeks to serve BlackAcre and its inhabitants in some questionable ways. This latest release offers some depth as it explores that motivation in action while yielding some developments. For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Darkness #109

The hardest thing about reviewing this series is the presence of expectations. Since this stellar creative team came on board they’ve done things with these characters that have continued to challenge both them and the world they inhabit while offering a superbly intricate yet engrossing romp. For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Fatale #11

When this series first launched I’m sure many readers saw the name behind it and found themselves instantly jazzed at the prospect of digging into this narrative. But little did they know that the depth surrounding our femme fatale would eventually lead to some increasingly strange things that even by the eleventh outing we would all still be scratching our heads. For the full review, click here.

4/5

Glory #31

As the series begins its run towards the end, Glory #31 delivers the best of what the series has to offer; brilliant characters, beautiful, detailed artwork and a constant sense of surprise. For the full review, click here.

4/5

Great Pacific #3

When we last saw Chas Worthington, he was in imminent danger of drowning beneath the garbage patch. This issue he wakes up safe and sound, with his salvation chalked up to ocean currents. Not the most exciting beginning. Great Pacific #3 plants some seeds that could prove interesting later on, but if you’ve been on the fence about this series you may not have the patience to stick it out much longer. Especially if Martín Morazzo doesn’t get more to work with.

3/5

Harvest #5

Harvest #5 is the end of the series, so even without spoilers, its safe to say that things get resolved by the end of the issue. Harvest is a thrill ride seeped in dark undertones, and Harvest #5 is no different. Its gritty and morbid, but not without a sub-plot about redemption.

3.5/5

Invincible #99

From the very beginning, “The Death of Everyone” has suffered from having too much story to tell in too-small a space, and that problem persists. While I don’t really foresee the story righting itself in next month’s concluding, extra-sized issue, there’s always a chance. Fir the full review, click here.

3.5/5

The Manhattan Projects #8

I want to sayThe Manhattan Projects#8 delivered one of my favorite lines so far this year, but that doesn’t mean much at this point. Still, I think it will remain a contender for quite a while. If issue 8 is any indication, 2013 is going to be another stellar year for the MP, and I’ m personally hoping the book sticks with this new, more direct approach.

4.5/5

Youngblood #75

Youngblood #75 really shows the books age, with a boring story, and outdated dialogue. None of the characters aren’t really likable or memorable, and the few magazine articles in the story just serve to grind whatever story is there to a screeching halt. If you have been following Youngblood since the 90′s you make like this issue, but to newer readers the comic is really outdated and doesn’t hold up.

1.5/5

Damsels #4

Rapa and Heinrich continue to deal with revelations combined with some random and obscure absurdities as this expansive tale continues to grow and evolve. Dangers in the world increase as armies mount and anything that is different from man is called into question. It’s complicated to boil down all that happens in this issue but suffice to say the creative team succeeds in offering something that’s engaging. For the full review, click here.

3.5/5

Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #8

Having defeated Ming the Merciless for good (yeah, right) Flash Gordon and friends face an entirely new challenge: finding their way home. Their only hope may lie with Dr. Zarkov, but he’s about to face some problems uniquely his own. Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist #8 is a respectable issue, but may not appeal to everyone. Reader’s who aren’t strict completionists may want to use their money elsewhere this month, perhaps experimenting with a new title.

3.5/5

Queen Sonja #33

Conspiracies abound as royal armies march toward a climactic battle that is instigated by the invisible hand of King Sartor. The only hope for a fitting resolution to this burgeoning conflict is our scarlet heroine, Red Sonja. In the end what we have here is something that as a package is an utterly engaging yet satisfying romp that simply oozes with intrigue. For the full review, click here.

4/5

Thun’Da #5

The saga of Thun’da as re-imagined here has had its share of majestic and disappointing moments but overall it’s been a thoroughly thrilling ride. This newest release is no different, as our creative team allows our warrior to come face to face with the consequences of both his mistakes and the actions that follow. The end result comes off as a bit rushed but it will certainly keep the audience entertained. For the full review, click here.

3/5

VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #1

Are you ready for a heart to heart with one of the good monsters? If so then this intriguing rendition is certainly for you as our vengeful vampire takes the time to survey her actions and talk about her feelings with a person she just saved. I realize that at face value that may seem rather odd but trust me the creative team makes it more than work in this first stellar issue.

4.5/5

Danger Girl/G.I. Joe #5

Finishing off one of the better cross-overs in IDW’s history, Danger Girl / G.I Joe #5 offers a thrilling and satisfying conclusion. Like much of the story, its over the top and full of action, but this is all done in a celebration of what makes the Danger Girl and G.I Joe franchises great. All in all, this is an excellent issue, and a fantastic ending to a great series. Danger Girl / G.I Joe is a cross over that just works; it takes what makes both so popular and runs with it. For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Doctor Who #2

Finishing up the second two-part story, Doctor Who #4 is a nice, simple and humorous tale. Whilst there is still a plot, the main charm here is the simple humor and interactions explored in the writing. In short, this is a quick and easy read, but its worth picking up. From start to finish, its highly engaging if, like most things Doctor Who, you suspend your disbelief for a little while.

4/5

G.I. Joe: Cobra #20

Despite its name, Cobra #20 actually has very little to do with Cobra. The main antagonists of the series (and franchise) take a back seat this issue as G.I Joe are pitted against the Oktober Guard. Whilst this might seem unusual for a series actually entitled Cobra, it none the less provides a fresh and engaging experience. Throw in the usual amounts of drama and a cliffhanger, and Cobra #20 wraps up as a very satisfying issue. For the full review, click here.

4/5

GODZILLA: Half Century War #4

It’s been a long time hasn’t it? The Half Century War is finally back with its very highly anticipated fourth issue. With just three installments it has firmly established itself as the fan favorite Godzilla comic. In the first issue we went back in time to see Godzilla first appear in 1954. With that out of the way, Issue #2 brought in Anguirus for a spectacular fight. Then in Issue #3, it was all out craziness as plenty of monsters appeared and destroyed pretty much everything. Now here, we have not one, not two, but three Godzillas. To the non-fan, that statement could be pretty confusing, but to longtime fans such as myself, it’s pretty easy to decipher. Godzilla, SpaceGodzilla, and Mechagodzilla. A cool concept for sure, so how does this issue fare? Nothing short of exciting. For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic #2

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the hot ‘new’ franchise on the block, it easily has one of the biggest fandoms. A comic series was inevitable, and what better company than the property masters themselves, IDW? All the other Hasbro titles are there, G.I. Joeand Transformers. (I sense a crossover in the near future…) Issue #1 released last month to rave reviews from all over the place. Even people whom had not watched the show liked it, that’s when you know you have a good comic. I myself as a big fan of the show was impressed at how well the characters were portrayed. Like the show, it was legitimately funny and perfect for all ages, whether you be 6 or 16, there’s something for everyone. The Return of Queen Chrysalis continues, it was most definitely worth the wait. My Little Pony is quickly becoming one of the best titles in the market. For the full review, click here.

5/5

Star Trek #16

When people go into a comic book series regarding this franchise they usually expect to read something that’s a bit more lighthearted than what we have here. But nonetheless this creative team finds a way to make this somewhat bleak and downright depressing vision of the future work. The first half of this arc successfully set the stage for a potent conclusion and despite the apparently random exploration into this portion of the accepted cannon we’re still treated with a solid finish. For the full review, click here.

4/5

Michael Turner’s Fathom (vol.4) #8

Judith Banyanski was a promising graduate student but after some unwanted experimentation while in captivity she’s become something more, and the world may very well live to regret it. Combined with a sentient power derived from the genetic material of the Blue she’s begun a quest of vengeance to purge this underwater facility as our heroine, Aspen Matthews, strives to gain bearings in these chaotic times. For the full review, click here.

4.5/5

Fly: The Fall #3

The continuing narrative surrounding all of these characters and the abilities derived from the substance that some of them have abused is as enthralling as ever. From the fights to the individual arcs the creative team delivers a very satisfying outing.

3.5/5

Grimm Universe #2

From start to finish this outing is a compelling treat that dives into the depths of terror as it relates to the exploration of the literal beast within. This comic book does a solid job delivering a compelling narrative that will simply glue fans to their seats, and if you’ve never read a tale set within the confines of the Grimm Universe before here’s a good place to start.

4/5

Sleepy Hollow #3

When approaching any classical narrative in a contemporary interpretation it can be difficult to strike a proverbial balance between the past and the present world. Usually what occurs is the people behind it make a decision and more than likely what arrives will be a little lopsided. This is true here, but trust me when I say the creative team picked the right stuff to use in their rendition.